17 May 2018

Softballer Joel Evans, Les Mills Sportsman of the Year, won the Wellington Hospitality Group (WHG) Supreme Award, selected from the Award Category winners at a glittering Ceremony in the Walter Nash Centre in Lower Hutt on Thursday night.

Will Williams presented the award to Evans to applause from an appreciative audience of more than 1200 guests.

He played his way into the Black Sox World Championship winning softball team with consistent performances at local, regional, national & international tournaments.

Evans hit a grand slam home run in the world championship final in the 6th innings against Australia. With the Black Sox trailing 2-3, his home run bought 4 runners home to set up the 6-4 victory for the Black Sox at the end of the 7th innings securing an unprecedented 7th World Title for the Black Sox.

Evans’ Hutt Valley Mens National Fastpitch Team broke an 18-year drought to win the National Title where he was named Most Valuable Player (MVP). He was also Hutt Valley Male Softballer of the Year.

Ann Fowler, a high achieving athlete who represented New Zealand in, Water Polo, Marathon Swimming, Surf Lifesaving and Triathlon was Inducted as a Legend of Hutt Valley Sport by Glenda Hughes, New Zealand Racing Board Chair.

In a new category introduced to recognise a person who had given their time, energy and expertise selflessly to sport over a long period, Colleen Pobar QSM (Marching) was awarded the Hutt News _ Upper Hutt Leader “Exceptional Service to Hutt Valley to Sport” by Presenter Eric Janssen (Hutt News). The Award recognised more than 70 years continuous involvement in Marching with the Lochiel Club.

Category Winners were:

HCC Administrator of the Year - Anita Mooney (Netball)
UHCC Official of the Year - Gareth Fowler (Netball)
Rydges Wellington Young Sportsman of the Year - Seamus Curtin (Lawn Bowls)
HVDHB Young Sportswoman of the Year - Denva Shaw-Tait (Softball)
Boulcott Hospital Youth Volunteer of the Year - Tireque Malila (Volleyball)
Pak n Save Coach of the Year - Mark Sorenson (Softball)
Hutt Mana Charitable Trust Disabled/Special Athlete of the Year - Patrick Donovan (Athletics)
Gillies Group Team of the Year - Eastbourne Interclub Bowls Team (Lawn Bowls)
Crowe Horwath Sportswoman of the Year - Kat Whata - Simpkins (Rugby 7’s)
Les Mills Sportsman of the Year – Joel Evans (Softball)

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